Amburg, Germany – Grammer has become the first automotive seating company in Europe to publicly announce it is shutting production as a result of coronavirus.
In a statement to the German stock market, the company said:
'As a result of the coronavirus pandemic spreading in Europe, major car manufacturer have announced a temporary halt of their production.
'For this reason, the executive board of the automotive supplier Grammer has decided today [19 March] to reduce or stop production at its European locations from the beginning of next week.
'Production will be maintained at locations that supply customers outside Europe or commercial vehicle manufacturers according to their demands.'
The scale of the temporary shutdowns in Europe is being monitored by Automobilewoche. This is a German-language sister newspaper of Urethanes Technology International. It has a running the Automobilewoche coronavirus ticker. Daily highlights of shutdowns include:
19 March
- Truck makers MAN stopped production in Europe, Scania will stop from 25 March because of a lack of parts.
- Hyundai also closed its plant in the Czech Republic for two weeks. Volvo announced plans to close its plants in Sweden and the US from March 26 to 14 April.
- VW closed its locations in Germany Pamplona, Spain; and, Palmela, Portugal.
- Audi plants in Ingoldstad, Nekarsulm, Belgium Hungary and Mexico will also be closed, according to the newspaper
- PSA plants at Luton, UK; and, Trnava, Slovakia were scheduled to shut.
18 March
- GM and Ford announce they are stopping European production until the end of the month.
- Renault announced production would stop in Romania, Portugal, Slovenia and Morocco.
- Volvo closed production in Belgium.
- Toyota closed all its European plants. BMW stopped European production until 19 April.
- PSA plants in Hordain, France; Vigo, Spain; and, Mangualde, Portugal were scheduled to shut.
17 March
- Skoda announced it would stop production on 18 March and Ford said it would stop on 19 March
- VW output in Bratislava, Slovakia closed.
16 March
- PSA announced it was closing
- Mullhouse, France; and Madrid.
All of these are temporary shutdowns and the car markers plan to reopen when supplies are available and it is safe for their staff.
